MALLRATS: ANOTHER DAY AT THE MALL

 

  

   

In 1994 director/writer Kevin Smith stunned the movie world with a small film he made called CLERKS. A critical success and Sundance hot property it was picked up and became a hit of the independent circle. So it seemed natural that a studio would want to pick up this hot new director and make a big movie with him in charge. That film was MALLRATS and when released it flopped big time. Much of that had to do with studio involvement and less from Smith himself. But here’s the thing.

While the movie wasn’t well received at the box office it became a huge cult film. Fans flocked to the movie when it was released on tape and disc. The film featured two characters from CLERKS, Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Smith) who went on to star in more Smith films including two of their own. The film also pre-dated the interest of comic book fans that was to come by featuring Marvel creator Stan Lee in a cameo before many movie goers knew who he was. Not bad for a second directorial film.

In case you haven’t seen it the movie does take place for the most part at the mall. This is where the teens and recently post teens tend to hang out, shop, eat, meander and meet. Think DAWN OF THE DEAD before they were real adults. T.S. Quint (Jeremy London) is a college student planning on a trip to Universal Studios in Florida where he plans on asking his girlfriend Brandi (Claire Forlani) to marry him. But at the last minute she can’t make the trip because her father Svenning (Michael Rooker) needs her as a replacement on the dating game show he’s pitching to producers at the mall. When T.S. gets upset the pair break up.

Seeking solace from his best friend Brodie (Jason Lee) whose girlfriend Rene (Shannon Doherty) has just dumped him for not acknowledging her to his mother, the pair decide to take comfort in the mall, their home away from home. Once there they realize the Svenning’s show TRUTH OR DATE is being shot there and recruit Jay and Silent Bob to take down the show.

Along the way they meet up with other friends, past girlfriends, mall security and the aforementioned Stan Lee who offers Brodie some serious life advice. Brodie faces off against the tough guy jerk Rene is now thinking of dating (Ben Affleck). And T.S. tries to find a way to win back Brandi.

The film is a perfect combination of characters and dialogue, something that Smith has always exceled at. Why did the film not find its audience when released? Who knows? The poster art was great for comic fans but maybe that chased away fans of his first film. Maybe the list of names in the film wasn’t big enough. At this point in time the only recognizable name was Doherty who was just coming off of TV’s BEVERLY HILLS 90210. Thankfully fans did finally find the film and made it the success it has become.

There are plenty of hilarious moments in the film, many of them involving Jay and Bob. But they’re not the only ones with memorable moments. Thanks to William (Ethan Suplee) you’ll never look at one of those 3-D magic eye pictures the same way again. And you’ll also never take a chocolate covered pretzel again if offered to you.

Arrow Video. The name alone should tell you that this movie is going to be given it’s due here. As they always do they shine with this offering. First off this is a brand new restoration by Arrow Films of both the Theatrical and Extended cuts of the film, approved by director Kevin Smith and cinematographer David Klein. There is a newly assembled TV cut of the film featuring hilarious overdubbing to cover up profanity. And the extras? Holy smokes are there extras!

There is a collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Philip Kemp, a fold out poster featuring replica blueprints for “Operation Drive-by” and “Operation Dark Knight”, disc one features the theatrical and extended cuts, audio commentary by Smith, producer Scott Mosier, archivist Vincent Pereira, Jason Lee, Ben Affleck and Jason Mewes, a brand new introduction by Kevin Smith, MY MALLRAT MEMORIES a new interview with Smith, a new filmed tribute to producer Jim Jacks by Smith, a new interview with cinematographer David Klein, HOLLYWOOD OF THE NORTH a new animated making-of documentary featuring Minnesota crew members who worked on the film, deleted scenes with Smith and Pereira discussing them, outtakes and behind the scenes footage, cast interviews from the original set, ERECTION OF AN EPIC: THE MAKING OF MALLRATS an archival retrospective with the cast and crew, a Q&A with Smit filmed for the 10^th anniversary of the film, “Build Me Up Buttercup” music video, stills and the theatrical trailer. On to disc two! This includes the TV cut of the film, a brand new introduction by Smith, a stills gallery of the comic books featured in the film’s opening sequence and Easter eggs.

If you’ve never seen the film you owe it to yourself to do so and this is the edition to see. If you’re a fan of Smith forget that you bought this when it first came out on disc, you’ll want to add this copy to your collection. And if you just need a good laugh then by all means pick up MALLRATS and start laughing.

Click here to order.